The Sykes Creek Bridge at Sea Ray Drive on Merritt Island — which has been closed since it was damaged by Hurricane Irma last September — might not reopen to traffic until mid-2020, Brevard County officials say.

The actual repairs are estimated to take only about six months. But that work might not start until January 2020 because of a complex contracting process that is required for the county to be eligible for reimbursement of projects costs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

An estimated project timeline provided by Brevard County Public Works Director Andrew Holmes lists 12 steps before the project can begin. The timeline indicates that selection of the contractor for the project might not occur until December 2019, with the winning contractor given the notice to proceed with the project in January 2020.

The Sykes Creek Bridge on Merritt Island might not reopen to traffic until mid-2020.

MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY

The extended process is required for the county to receive $3 million in reimbursement from FEMA for the work.

"The wheels turn much slower than we'd all like for them to turn," Holmes told county commissioners at a recent meeting.

Holmes said the project could begin sooner if the county didn't follow the procedures required by FEMA to be eligible for reimbursement.

But, with $3 million FEMA reimbursement at stake — representing a potential savings to local taxpayers — "I think it's worthwhile to spend that time and maintain that eligibility" for reimbursement, Holmes said.

The bridge has been closed to traffic since September 2017, after Hurricane Irma caused severe erosion and scouring around the bridge pilings.

That threatened the bridge with potential collapse, and raised concerns related to an attached water main that the city of Cocoa uses to provide service to water customers on the barrier island.

The County Commission passed a resolution to commit to making permanent repairs on the bridge following an estimated $1.3 million in temporary repairs that were completed in June by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The temporary repair ensures the stabilization of the water main, provided the bridge is not used for traffic.

It is estimated as much as $3 million could be reimbursed to the county through FEMA for permanent repairs.

The bridge is not critical for transportation, because there are alternate routes.

Those who need access to areas on either side of the bridge can use the Beachline Expressway, and enter at Courtney Parkway onto Sea Ray Drive or North Banana River Drive.

Brevard County Commissioner Jim Barfield, whose district includes Merritt Island, said the process with FEMA is "very frustrating."

"We have to follow their procedures," Barfield said. "It's mind-boggling, considering it's going to be 2020 when it's done."

Barfield said his office has been getting "inundated with questions" from residents on "when it's going to open" and "when it's going to be done."

In commenting on the projected timeline, Barfield said: "If that's what it is, it is. But I just know it's frustrating."

"I understand your frustration," Holmes responded.

When the project is complete, it may look very different than it does now. County officials are talking about whether they want to take the water main pipe and instead run it underneath the water.

Holmes said the county is using a "design-build" process in awarding the contract, in which the team that is doing the construction and repair work also is designing the project. He said that process is faster than if there were separate entities designing the project and doing the actual construction work.

Holmes said the timeline he provided to county officials is "our best guess," and is "based on the best information we have at this time, and are subject to change depending on many factors that cannot be quantified. We will update this estimated timeline as more current information becomes available."